Matthew Gray Gubler (2015)

Matthew Gray Gubler is an American actor, director, fashion model, painter and filmmaker. He is best known for his role as criminal profiler Dr. Spencer Reid in the CBS television show Criminal Minds, of which he has also directed seven episodes. Gubler has appeared in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Days of Summer, Life After Beth, and as the voice of Simon in Alvin and the Chipmunks and its two sequels.

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About the Matthew Gray Gubler Interview

Matthew Gray Gubler Dec 04, 2015

Hi Matthew, I'm a big fan of yours and I was recently diagnosed with Asperger after 17 years. Sometimes I notice that Spencer Reid does things that remind me of the way I am, so I think that is kind of really cool. My question for you is: What is the thing you love the most about Spencer, and are there any things that he does that you recognize in your daily life?
Lots of love from Holland! <3

TinyFrodi

i love his courage and selflessness

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hello Matthew! Are there any Criminal Minds moments/episodes that have actually frightened you or left a lasting impact on your everyday life?

Also, do you have any pets? You seem like a cat person to me, but who am I make those assumptions.. ;)

Dragonflie

all of the episodes really frighten me. the only way i know how to play a character is to fully become that character and it sometimes has weird effects on my mind. i always try to focus on the tiny optimisms of every episode to avoid losing my mind entirely to the darkness.

Matthew Gray Gubler

What is the weirdest scar you have and how did you get it?

Walkingfangirl

i burnt my wrist playing a crazy game my friends and i invented where you pass a "Boppit" over a fire pit while someone squirts kerosene over the fire. It's called Fire Boppit. Look up Boppit if you don't know what I'm talking about. also don't play this game.

Matthew Gray Gubler

Is it hard to wrap your head around your popularity? I cannot imagine going from being bullied as kid to having thousands and thousands of fans. How do you handle it all?

laughlovelive41

i LOVED being bullied as a kid because it taught me early on that it is absolutely fine to be a weirdo. In my head i thank the bullies everyday for giving me the life i get to lead now.

Matthew Gray Gubler

If you could be haunted by any ghost, who would most want to be haunted by or who would you least want to be haunted by?

spookyacorn

i freaking LOVE THIS QUESTION. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm i guess i would like to be haunted by harry houdini because he was so adamant about proving that ghosts didn't exist.

Matthew Gray Gubler

Gubler, I saw CM is coming out with an episode with Aubrey Plaza i'm so excited cuz i lover her (and you) very much! I know you guys worked on Life After Beth together, but how was working on Criminal Minds with her?

jessicvmvrie

it was a dream. we were born to be on screen together. like Jaffar and that parrot from Aladin... i think his name was Iago.

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hey! So this is an extremely random question which I'm not sure if you've answered before and I just missed it or something but I've noticed that in almost every episode of Criminal Minds Reid's watch is always on the outside of the sleeve when you're wearing long sleeved shirts and such. I'm not exactly up to date on watch wearing techniques but is that done on purpose or the watch is just slightly too big for your wrist or is that normal watch etiquette?
Also because I am slightly too obsessed with horror films what is your favorite horror movie?
Thanks!

trosty_the_snowman

i always made sure to wear his watch outside of his sleeve as an homage to a very eccentric friend of mine who recently passed away. the reason he wore his watch outside of his sleeve was to save time when he wanted to know the time. there are a few spencer reid traits i got from him.

Matthew Gray Gubler

What will you do after Criminal Minds? I can see it sadly coming to an end soon, will you enter another TV series or stick to indie films and stuff like that? P.S. jello or pudding?

sabrinastan

i'm going to do more comedy

Matthew Gray Gubler

Before you are filming a scene for Criminal Minds, do you do anything that helps you get into character?

maeve_cronin

i think about his mom i think about maeve and i think about how badly he want's to make sure that no one has to ever go through what he went through with losing maeve.

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hey Matthew! I always see you traveling on your Twitter, I was just wondering where is your favorite place to frequent?

JasperTigglesworth

i've never been to a place i didn't love

Matthew Gray Gubler

You seem to be very eclectic with your hobbies! I am an all-around artist, myself- and I can't stop creating no matter the medium. What initially propelled you forward? What do you think is your strongest talent?

Thanks for doing this!

Edit: I forgot to ask, what do you enjoy doing most? :D
Any cool links to follow your art?

EllieNora

thanks for the question! And i apologize for any typos in all of these answers. Im trying to write fast but i have the technical skills of a 900 year old man who has been mummified in ice. As far as your question goes I don't feel like i am talented.. i really just feel like I a have a crazy work ethic and that lets me try a lot of things

Matthew Gray Gubler

Will you describe each of your cast members in one word?

Katelin831

family, family, family, family, family, family, family

Matthew Gray Gubler

Wazzup Matthew,
I'm dying to know what Hogwarts house you would be sorted into?

Thanks,
Admirer

E_neve95

hufflepuff

Matthew Gray Gubler

what book are you currently reading?

Walkingfangirl

I'm rereading "in God we trust all others pay cash" by gene shepard its the book that the movie "a christmas story" comes from and its absolutely hilarious!

Matthew Gray Gubler

If you had to dye your hair any color beside brown what would it be?

jilldog

i was literally just contemplating dying it dusty pink like kurt cobain once had

CinematicCharm

Matthew Gray Gubler

kaiyaplagenhoef

Matthew Gray Gubler

You seem to enjoy making independent movies on your hiatus from Criminal Minds, each year. What was your favorite thing about filming Hot Air in Austin?

Willowy

austin is amazing! i love that place. I love all indie films because the level of passion always seems to be exceptionally high when the budgets are low.

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hi Matthew! I'm a big fan of you! What are you MOST thankful for when it comes to your career? Would you say that you are at the peak of your career?

kaylincull

all i have ever dreamed of was getting to entertain one stranger rather it was on a street corner or if it was on a screen. so i feel like i have been successful since the moment i told my first joke to a stranger in line at a hot dog stand when I was 5. that was when i peaked and it just feels like one gigantic peak i have been riding ever since.

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hello Mr. Gubler!

I'd like to ask you about your hair, especially during your long haired era. You were one of my inspirations to grow mine out.

What was your typical hair routine during that time? Did you use anything specific, any special shampoos, conditioners, did you blow-dry or not?

And was it your decision to get it cut, or was it a screenwriters' decision for your character to get it cut for a story progression?

Thank you for doing this AMA.

thedoseoftea

i like switching my hair up on CM and often times that is because of indie films i shoot during my hiatus.

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hey Matthew,

What in this world makes you the happiest?

OfficiallyAexq

making people smile

Matthew Gray Gubler

Got into any interesting shenanigans as of late?

tinitrinity

oh mannnnnnn so many shenanigans i don't even know where to being. i have a really good practical joke that i've been launching on shemar but i can't say anything about it yet

all i can say is it involves piranhas

Matthew Gray Gubler

Bit cliché I know, but what's been the highlight of your career so far?

I'm a huge fan, thanks for being you :)

oimky

this is the highlight

i mean that.. every day gets even better than i ever imagined and the fact that i get to entertain people on a daily basis makes me the happiest guy on earth.

Matthew Gray Gubler

If you had to pick one person to play, be it a fictional character or real person, who would you choose?

songsandscreams

Great question! and a tough one. I prefer playing characters that have never existed. if i had to chose a real person to play I would love to play Edgar Allan Poe

Matthew Gray Gubler

2) Do you want children? If so, what would your ideal partner/spouse be like and what are one or two life lessons you'd like to pass down to your children? :)

writersdelite

i love children and can't wait to have many some day.

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hi! Thanks for doing this AMA. Reid's had a lot of hairstyles while on Criminal Minds--which one was your favourite? What flavour of ice cream is your favourite?

Also, could you say hi to my sister, Hannah? She's a huge fan.

babyredpandas

Matthew Gray Gubler

Did you ever think you'd live the dream of having a complete stranger's cat sleep on a t-shirt that has your face on it? Because if not, congratulations - and my cat says "meow" from atop t-shirt mountain.

doctorelliot

awwwwwww! i love this and i love all of you. you guys are all a dream come true. i was supposed to stop answering questions at 4 but lets sneak a few more in before reddit pulls the plug

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hi Matthew, love your eclectic style! Say you could live in another era - when would you choose, and why?

Willowy

i would love to live in the 1920's

Matthew Gray Gubler

Are you a fan of American Horror Story? If so, what's your favorite season?

Whitney9210

yes! i loved the first season

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hi!!! I was wondering if you've ever thought about trying to paint or draw with stuff that's traditionally not used in that way? Like painting with makeup products, for example?

blackquill909

sometimes i paint with root beer

Matthew Gray Gubler

Your glamour shots are EXTREMELY glamorous, where and why did you get them done?

Georgiathebunny

HAHAHAHAH thanks! i think you are referring to my red turtle neck ones. I made those about 6 years ago and the funniest thing is that people to this day still don't realize that i painstakingly went out of my way to create those myself as a joke. In the most recent killers video i directed I purposefully dressed the band in matching Red turtle necks as a subtle shout out to that. I consider it my cameo in the video

HAHAHAHAH thanks! i think you are referring to my red turtle neck ones. I made those about 6 years ago and the funniest thing is that people to this day still don't realize that i painstakingly went out of my way to create those myself as a joke. In the most recent killers video i directed I purposefully dressed the band in matching Red turtle necks as a subtle shout out to that. I consider it my cameo in the video

HAHAHAHAH thanks! i think you are referring to my red turtle neck ones. I made those about 6 years ago and the funniest thing is that people to this day still don't realize that i painstakingly went out of my way to create those myself as a joke. In the most recent killers video i directed I purposefully dressed the band in matching Red turtle necks as a subtle shout out to that. I consider it my cameo in the video

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hey Matthew! How can I be weird and cool like you? Right now I'm just weird. Wait is this a weird question to ask?

unknown_human

you are cool! the only way to not be cool is to try to be cool.

Matthew Gray Gubler

hey matthew just wanted to know if you could be any underwater animal which would u be?

jilldog

deep sea angler!

Matthew Gray Gubler

Any shows on netflix or even just on regular tv that you're hooked on right now?
And if you could be in any super hero movie, what kind of part would you want(hero, villain, etc.)?

galahads

im always like a decade behind in watching things...i just started watching modern family and it's a masterpiece

Matthew Gray Gubler

But we would like to hear what youre working on too.

if i could ask you 3 questions...i would ask...

Do you have plans on making-writing/creating-directing a long feature film? and if so what genres are you interested in?

Since you started acting in films & tv (feelings of everything being new) to this point of your life; in what 3 main ways (good or bad -like lossing shyness or being more confidant-) have you changed from how you were then to now?

and if you have a bucket list...what is one thing you have always wanted to do or try thats a must on your list?

Thank you...sending love & kisses

mariela_chiquis

YES! i have been writing a feature screenplay that i am also going to star in. I'm bad at describing things but if i had to i guess i would call it a surreal romantic comedy that isn't very romantic and isn't very funny.

Matthew Gray Gubler

What everyday things have changed since you became famous? For example, do you still wash the dishes or do the laundry?

Spuuunky

absolutely nothing!

Matthew Gray Gubler

What inspired you to start painting?

liamquane

trying to show beauty in things

Matthew Gray Gubler

Did you make the cake you posted a picture of for Thanksgiving?

Cerarochelle

no. i wish i did

Matthew Gray Gubler

Hi Matthew. If you were to create the half-hour TV show of your own design. What is it called and what's the premise?
PS: Visit Australia!!

MareesusMonkey

it would be a comedy about the behind the scenes filming of an intense crime show like Criminal Minds. I would call it "Danger Brain"

Matthew Gray Gubler

I read somewhere that you went to Colonial Williamsburg recently, I went a few weekends ago and I was wondering what made you decide to visit and what was the best thing about it?

amanda_leanne5

i am contemper-phobic (a word i created) and sometimes yearn to live by candlelight. i also love any place where you are the odd person out if you aren't dressed in a ridiculous costume.

Matthew Gray Gubler

What was it like working with Jeff Baena?

liamquane

a dang dream! he's one of my favorite directors ever.

Matthew Gray Gubler

If you could play any music instrument in the world what would you want to play??

Pallycat2623

the theremin (look it up!)

Matthew Gray Gubler

[deleted]

[deleted]

i always wanted spencer reid to feel like he doesn't fit in to anywhere or anything (even on criminal minds) but that said i think he would cross over nicely to twin peaks